Drag-and-Drop WordPress Themes, Part 2: Make, Ultimatum, and Headway

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Sallie Goetsch provides an overview of the pros, cons, and particularly ease of use of three WordPress themes/frameworks designed to let you create a site "without knowing code"--which is definitely not the same as "without knowing anything." Make from Theme Foundry is simplest (and free); Headway is the most drag-and-drop, since you draw elements on a grid. Ultimatum has the biggest learning curve, though it seems as though you could create nearly anything with it once you were familiar with the way it worked. Pieter Hartsook's demonstration of Divi from Elegant Themes (not included with these slides) eclipsed all of them due to the number of pre-defined templates and low price of that theme. From the June 20th, 2014 East Bay WordPress Meetup

Transcript

July 20, 2014

EastBayWP.com

Ongoing Sponsor: Page.ly

http://page.ly/

INTRODUCTIONS

1. Name

2. Company (if appropriate)

3. WordPress background

4. What you’re hoping to learn

GENERAL Q & A

Ask a question provide a tip about WordPress

Drag-and-Drop Themes Take Two

What can you do “without knowing code”?

Builder Page Template

Make “Blank” Section

Similar to standard post/page content area.

Make “Text” Section

Select the number of columns you want. Plus version allows widgets here.

Make “Banner” Section

Options for autoplay, transition speed, navigation arrows, transition effects.

Make “Gallery” Section

Includes background image option.

Make: Conclusions

• Easy to build a site with

• Versatile even in the free version

• Make Plus ($99) includes e-commerce, Typekit, on-page widgets, post listings, page duplication, style kits, etc.

• Meant for building websites, not themes

ULTIMATUM: LEARNING CURVE! http://ultimatumtheme.com/

You Need This Document

Ultimatum General Settings

Ultimatum Sidebar Settings

This is where you create your sidebars/widget areas. Just type in the names; you will decide on the locations later.

Ultimatum Extras Settings

Ultimatum Title Tag Settings

Ultimatum API Settings

Ultimatum Toolset

Ultimatum Plugins

Ultimatum: Creating a Layout

Ultimatum: Add Row to Layout

Ultimatum: Parts of a Layout

Add rows and drag elements into position in the rows.

Ultimatum: Default Loop Row

Ultimatum: Default Layouts

Create header and footer as partial layouts, then insert into rows in full layout.

Default Layout: Front View

Look, Ma! No styling!

Ultimatum CSS Editor

Why is it that I find going through a billion selectors slower than writing CSS in an IDE? Oh, yeah: because it is.

Ultimatum: Conclusion • Starter $65; Pro $125 (Pro lets you export

templates)

• Staggeringly complex. Would drive a newbie to insanity quickly. MUST READ DOCS.

• If you can hack the learning curve, you could eventually build any design.

• Includes custom post types, sliders, etc. You would never be able to change themes, but could handle any content.

HEADWAY: REAL DRAG & DROP http://headwaythemes.com/

Headway Documentation

Headway: Before You Start

Installing Headway

Headway Options

Headway: Tour of Visual Editor

Headway Grid Wizard

Headway: Grid Wrapper Settings

Headway: Select Block Type

Headway Styling

Headway: Quick Site Results

Headway: Conclusions

• Personal $59, Business $99, Developer $199 (50% discount for renewal)

• First theme I’ve used where you actually draw your layout.

• Arranging blocks vertically can be finicky.

• Fairly easy to get a basic site layout going.

• Allows template export.

Finally…

Make

I have used it and would use it again for a quick low-budget job or personal site. Might or might not be interested in Plus.

Ultimatum

Lots of potential, but not sure I want to take on that learning curve.

Headway

If I can just figure out how to keep blocks in vertical order, this could be a lot of fun. Wireframe and design in one.

Where to Find Me

Sallie Goetsch

sallie@wpfangirl.com

(510) 969-9947

Twitter: @salliegoetsch

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